Sprig Toys sparks sprouting imaginations

Question: Briefly explain how Sprig Toys came into being.
Answer: Inspired by our collective desire to keep kids active and the planet healthy, we're dedicated to infusing creativity, smart design, quality manufacturing, earth-friendly materials, product satisfaction and responsible business practices into a superior line of fun, kid-powered toys.

Once upon a time, there were three talented toy designers who were taking the industry by storm. Their award-winning toys were selling like hotcakes. They were happy and successful. Then one day the designers visited the factories that turned their computer renderings into real toys. They eagerly watched the assembly line with anticipation, and quickly realized the harmful impact their toy production had on the nearby air, soil, water, plants and people. They were devastated.

They went back to the drawing board, only to face another disturbing toy trend that threatened to control their designs. Passive "watch-me" electronic toys were gaining popularity, encouraging otherwise healthy kids to become more inactive. The designers refused to be part of the problem, so they joined forces to become the solution.

Q: Sprig Toys has been around for about three years. What was the company's growth plan when you started and how did you achieve it?

A: Our first products hit shelves in fall 2008. Our growth plan is based on putting as many of our toys in as many little hands as possible. We believe that our growth and success as a company is tied to delivering toys that fulfill our expectations of play value and open creative play.

Question: Where do your ideas come from for new toys?

Answer: We're inspired by just about everything, sometimes to a fault. Keeping us focused and not chasing every toy idea is one of our biggest struggles. ... It's like watching an 8-year-old try to choose "only one" at the toy store.

A lot of our ideas come from watching the children in our lives - our first product was inspired by watching Justin's son, Charlie, tirelessly run up and down the driveway pushing a Tonka truck. ... We then asked ourselves, 'How can we capture that energy and power a toy with it?' ... From that, the Discover Rig was born.

Q: How has the recession impacted your business. Are toys recession proof?

A: Typically, the toy industry remains fairly stable through economic downturns. This past year, however, has been very tough on our industry. We believe that we're still around because we're offering the products that parents want their children to play and learn from. We're going into 2010 very excited and optimistic.

Q: How do you compete against toys made in China for less money? And, where are your toys made?

A: We don't believe that we're competing with toys made in China as much as we're competing with all of the toys on the store shelves. In the end, we feel that the best toys are the ones that engage a child's imagination and offer sustained play value. Some of the toys made in China do this very well and are perfectly safe. ... Of course, we think ours do it a little better. We believe good toys are made through thoughtful design and attention to the depth of open, creative play, not by where they are manufactured.

Our toys are currently being made in Canada, Mexico and the Czech Republic.

Q: Your Dolphin Explorer Boat was recently nominated for a TOTY. What does the nomination mean to you?

A: The TOTY nomination is exciting for us because it shows that our little company and the reasons we created it are being appreciated by our peers in the industry.

Q: We are only days away from Christmas, do you have a sense yet of how your holiday sales have gone? What's your biggest seller?

A: Our eco trucks are our best sellers, but this Christmas season we're seeing our Dno Adventure Rig and Dolphin Explorer Boat doing great.

Q: It seems like it would be a blast working at a toy company. Is it as fun as it sounds?

A: Making toys is always fun, and the mess in our offices shows it. They look like our bedrooms as children. Ah, yes, it's a blast. ... At least until somebody tells us to clean our rooms.